:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

The 5th Reform Debate was held in Social Centre, Male' last night. The meeting was attended by several hundred of people. Since the constitutional reform debate was announced by Gayyoom on 9th of June, many Maldivians are seen to be actively engaged in discussing and debating the need for pluralistic democracy in the Maldives.

Many speakers discussed the importance of the fundamental rights of the citizens to be explicit and clear in the next amended constitution. Hon. Shareef, Special Majlis Member for Addu Atoll outlined in detail the advantages of party politics. He further added arbitrary arrests must come to a halt and people should not be arrested and punished unless proven guilty and sentences in a court of law. Due process of law is essential in a modern society of today, he said.

As usual people from several walks of life spoke out in support of introducing party system in the Maldives.

Hon. Ibrahim Ismail, Special Majlis Member for Male' tonight express the importance of public life in any society. Those holding public offices must always act in the interest of the people, he said. Hon. Ismail also expressed the importance of including the rights of the children to be included in the new amendments because 50% of the population are children now. He further added that under no circumstance shall there be any young children in the jail, staying with their mother who are serving time. Currently there are several 2 years and up to 6 year olds living in the jail with their mothers. The welfare of these children should be the responsibility of the government if extended family is unable to look after them. Jail is not an acceptable place for children to grow up.

Mr. Mohamed Waheed, a history teacher compared the similarities between oppressive governing style of Louis XIV of France and that of Gayyoom. Many in the audience listen with interest to the analyses by Mr. Waheed, who is a graduate from Australia, who appeared to be very happy to have got the opportunity to express his views on the reform of the Maldives constitution.

A 20 second silence was observed tonight to mourn the death of Eevan Naseem and his friends in Jail last year at the hand of Gayyooms' security servicemen.

Reports say that the Government has ensured that large halls are not given to the organisers. It is clear that every night hundreds of people have to stand outside and listen to the debate without participating in them because there is no room in the halls. Several attempts to book larger halls have been unsuccessful.

It was reported that Gayyoom appeared on TV Maldives News tonight saying that he will be proposing the amendment to allow political party to operate in the Maldives. He further said that since now he has decided to propose that amendment, there is no further need for these debates that are being organised in Male'.

People in the islands are still very much unaware of the political changes or rather the reform debate. Gayyoom has not permitted anyone in the island from conducting any such debate.

Another meeting will be held tonight in Ghiyaashuddeen School.

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